Writing Challenge Discussion -- January 2011

[Teresa Edgerton]

My original point (argument, debate), which we seem to have strayed from, was PRO / FOR stories that use 'mythological or whatever' and DEFENDING them against JRiff's comments that implied that stories that use 'mythological or whatever' where simply not comprehensive without knowing their backstory.

It would be great to know what your point of view on that argument is.

I depends on the story. The Bagpuss story meant nothing to me until people started discussing it and I was able to get some idea about what it all meant from the context of the discussion by people who enjoyed the story. Otherwise, I would have continued to assume that she was using her own name for one of her own toys, and I would have missed that it was a humorous story with an "in" joke that many people here appreciated. Figuring it was a personal thing for her, I would never have thought to Google the name, so I would have remained in the dark.

The Judge's story, as I've said, is excellent whether you know the background or not, but even better when you do know it. Which is why I think, and will continue to think, that the stories and the discussion offer more (to those who want it) if we allow people to share that kind of information.

Some people may think this goes against the whole concept behind the 75 word stories. I agree that the Challenge and accompanying discussion have evolved to the point where they belong to all of us, and we all have our own criteria for judging a story. That's one reason why we try to keep the rules few and simple, so that people have that freedom to judge a story according to their own standards. But as to the original concept, I think I am pretty clear on that.

Those who prefer not to learn any of the background they don't already know can easily avoid it: by not following links, by trying not to read posts that seem to be offering such insights, or, as a last resort, avoiding the thread where discussions occur. I would prefer that nobody be forced to that last resort, but I am against limiting the discussion here in order to accommodate them.

If you want to engage in a debate about the merits of people being denied the opportunity to learn something I am happy to oblige, though I think you will find everyone on the same side.

Then what is your point? It seems to me that most of your posts have been framed as though we were in fundamental disagreement, but unless you are saying that the sharing of background information should be discouraged, I can't see where we differ.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

It looked like we were going to have a record month, but things have slowed down, and there are less than six days to go. Some of our regulars haven't been seen for a while, either. So maybe it will be just an ordinary month.

Of course this is not to be taken as any kind of hint to those of you who haven't written your stories yet. Not at all. No.

ps: Love your avatar, Teresa

I forgot to say thank you for that, Boneman. She's from AllAvatars (that's what the little squares in the lower corner mean) and the artist is called Baybeestar. The avatars are all authorized and contributed by the artists, so I like to give credit where credit is due. When I first saw her, I just thought she looked beautiful and mysterious, but I've since seen that at least on this monitor she changes as she rises on the screen, going from sultry at the bottom, to frowning, to downright malevolent. I leave it to others to guess which one suits me the best.

 

[Culhwch]

I'm one of those regulars that haven't posted yet, but rest assured I will. Of course I'm yet to eden have an idea, though months like these tend to gain me my most votes...

 

[Perpetual Man]

Just checked in and read the latest three entries, all three of them fitzchivalry, Gamblor and Mirinda have produced some more excellent stories.

It keeps being repeated but it is so worth it, the quality from new and old participants just astounding. Everyone should be really proud of what they are producing!

 

[No One]

Of course, I even posted a link to wiki on that subject a few pages back.

Apologies Tobias - I hadn't seen that link.

As to the discussion of whether or not our stories should be dissected prior to voting, I've made my stance clear before. As Teresa pointed out earlier, once the voting is done and the new theme issued, many of us will move on without fully exploring the month's previous entries (guilty as charged ). It just seems counter-intuitive to me to discuss the previous month's stories while the new ones are rolling in.

Personally, I won't pretend to grasp the various backgrounds and insights of many pieces and would rather know, before voting, the ins and outs of peoples' stories (so as to avoid what happened a few months back, when I failed to understand one of Ursa's stories which would certainly have otherwise made my shortlist).

Of course, I can understand why others would prefer to keep that discussion back until after voting. After all, the stories ought to stand on their own two feet. Then again, as it's not always in the author's interests to fully explain their story I'm not convinced that everyone would be scrambling to do so if given the leeway.

It's a difficult thing to gauge, which is why I'm content to say no more about it. At the end of the day, composing these stories is a lot of fun and reading through the others has become a monthly highlight for me. Long may they continue!

 

[fitzchivalry]

Hi all,

Although I'm new I thought I would throw my opinion down as well. This is the first time I have ever written anything that others have read, or read others short stories for that matter. The discussion of these stories I find really exciting. People read things in different ways and interpretations vary. Understanding the story from a different perspective can change the way you view a particular story. Whilst the rest of the entries flow in , I find that reading discussions of the existing stories keeps me logging on more and more, which I think, can only be a good thing.

 

[The Judge]

Thanks for that, Tobias -- it's always interesting seeing how other people read one's work. The "not a man" bit, it never occurred to me someone might read it as meaning somehow ungentlemanly. Just goes to show!

And, hello fitz. Welcome to the Challenge and the discussion thread -- and the Chrons, in fact! If you're a glutton for punishment, there is a previous thread, from which the earliest posts here were separated forcibly at the beginning of the month** and eight months Challenges lurk in the depths of Workshop. Have fun! (You might want to bring a packed lunch.)

** I was going to say untimely ripp'd, in the manner of Macduff, but upon reflection, the thread was probably overtimely induced...


Just read Mirinda's entry. Apart from that, Mrs Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play...?

 

[nixie]

Have to say I really like Mir's entry

 

[chrispenycate]

Some of our regulars haven't been seen for a while, either. So maybe it will be just an ordinary month.

Only Cul and Mouse of the absolutely solid group have not yet delivered, Although Deathfrommassive was getting a goodly sequence. Bookstop? Possibly someone like The Procrastinator, lost for the festive season and still pro…?

I noticed, when correcting my chart for the n+1st time, that on the very first poll Toby Frost wrote the story, while Tobytwo was polled, and got the vote…

 

[sloweye]

Have to say I really like Mir's entry

I agree, and some of the newcomers are looking pretty sharp too.

 

[Mouse]

Only Cul and Mouse of the absolutely solid group have not yet delivered, Although Deathfrommassive was getting a goodly sequence. Bookstop? Possibly someone like The Procrastinator, lost for the festive season and still pro…?

I noticed, when correcting my chart for the n+1st time, that on the very first poll Toby Frost wrote the story, while Tobytwo was polled, and got the vote…

I'm pretty sure Tobytwo was Toby's username originally.

As for my story... I've still got time, right? Right?!

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

As for my story... I've still got time, right? Right?!

Until one minute to midnight on the 23rd. If you wait any longer than that, you'll have to walk home.

 

[Mouse]

Ooh... I thought I had a bit longer than that. Revolution is hard!

 

[sloweye]

Ooh... I thought I had a bit longer than that. Revolution is hard!

You could always post a blank page with several full stops on as a statement of your revolt against the theme

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Actually, I don't close the contest at 11:59 exactly. You might have another 30 seconds after that.

It is a difficult theme, but I think all of them (with the possible exception of the first month, which I tried not to make too daunting) have been ... no pun intended ... challenging.

 

[chrispenycate]

Ooh... I thought I had a bit longer than that. Revolution is hard!

Or I'll send you my spare. No, you said you already had two (somewhat small ones) prepared, didn't you?

 

[Mouse]

Actually, I don't close the contest at 11:59 exactly. You might have another 30 seconds after that.

It is a difficult theme, but I think all of them (with the possible exception of the first month, which I tried not to make too daunting) have been ... no pun intended ... challenging.

They have! And it's good. Difficult when you don't really understand the word though. I've looked up so many definitions of 'revolution!' I think I've got it now.

You could always post a blank page with several full stops on as a statement of your revolt against the theme

Yes, the theme is revolting. Has StormFeather posted yet?!

Or I'll send you my spare. No, you said you already had two (somewhat small ones) prepared, didn't you?

I do have two small ones. One's got a bit bigger now though. If I don't get some sort of bright idea soon, I'll post one tomorrow. Maybe.

 

[sloweye]

Squeak: Has StormFeather posted yet?!

Yeah, just the last few slackers to come now

 

[chrispenycate]

Has StormFeather posted yet?!

Actually, I don't think she has. I had her down because she was on the list of those who had posted in the thread, but of course she did the first post, specifying the theme.

 

[sloweye]

Actually, I don't think she has. I had her down because she was on the list of those who had posted in the thread, but of course she did the first post, specifying the theme.

Ah, i hadn't thought of that. she popped up on the post link and thought she'd put a story in